Retirement is what you dream of when you are taking the red eye home from a customer in Baltimore or when you skip lunch for the third day in a row because of endless meetings. Retirement is the light at the end of the tunnel, oh the things you can finally do when you retire!
Then you are there, retired, what to do first?
1. Plan and budget. Figure out with a professional if necessary what your budget is and live within your means. You plan to live a long life post retirement; make sure you can live comfortably.
After step one it is all up to your desire. What have you always put off to ‘someday’? Make your bucket list and get out there and do it. Here are a few things for inspiration;
Enjoy Your Retirement – Travel the World
See the world - Now that you do not have to worry about vacation limits, go LIVE in another country for six months. You would be surprised how inexpensive it can actually be to live abroad rather then just visit. Do some research and find a rental house or a house trade arrangement and just go immerse yourself in another country and culture. Don’t forget to write (but try not to brag)
Travel the USA - Buy, rent or borrow an RV so you don’t have to constantly find a hotel and go see the sights. If you love baseball, try and hit as many stadiums as possible. If golf is your thing, play as many courses in the country as you can. Not a sports fan? No problem, there are a million things to see and do in this country.
Volunteer - this word just means give of your time, everyone can find a cause they can get behind. It might be planting flowers for your church or coaching a softball team or working with the under privileged. Most of the time people won’t turn away free help so if you interested in any cause or company just ask if they could use a volunteer.
Move - Have you ever wanted to live in the country? The city? Near your kids? Far from your kids? Now is your opportunity to make a move.
Learn - Study keeps our brains young so never stop learning. Maybe a language or a new skill or even continue traditional schooling. It is never too late to get your degree or PhD. Music and art classes abound in most communities, just pick something and see if you like it.
Teach - You successfully conducted a career for 20+ years, you have something of value to teach. Teaching could be at a college, vocational school, or Sunday school. You could tutor or mentor a child. Share what you learned as other shared with you.
Last but not least spend time with the people you love. Get to know your kids and grandkids better or be with your siblings. Visit long lost friends. Plan a weekend with your army buddies. Time spent is good company is time well spent.
This short list should inspire you to get out and have some fun with your retirement. You worked hard to get here so enjoy it.
